Fly-half Callum Irvine backed to rewrite record books at Harrogate Rugby Club

Irvine reached the landmark in Saturday’s 24-12 defeat against Stourbridge, just four years after making his debut at 17 years old.

Irvine led the team out in front of the Rudding Lane masses and admitted it had been an emotional occasion, only to be soured by the overall result.

Club captain Jake Brady said: “I couldn’t believe it when I found out during the week. 100 caps at 21 is pretty impressive.

“He’s flying and he can go as long as he wants and get as many caps as he wants here.”

Irvine who was poised to join Championship side Doncaster Knights over the summer before discovering the full extent of an ankle injury, said: “After not thinking I was going to be fit all of pre-season, to be on 100 caps four games in, it’s a massive privilege.

“I’m just happy to be part of the 100 club.

“I have come a long way but I feel I can still go further. I’ve still got a lot more in the tank.”

The defeat dented Gate’s early aspirations of a top two finish in National Two North this campaign and Irvine said the squad must ‘buck up their ideas’ ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leicester Lions.

Four tries in 14 first half minutes ultimately killed off Harrogate’s chances of victory as they were hampered by a high penalty count throughout the 80 minutes.

The 21-year-old said: “We have had two losses, two wins, we said we want to be top two.

“At the moment we are 50 per cent win rate.

“I don’t think you ever have a team with a 50 per cent win rate that’s come top two in the league. We are going to have to buck our ideas up in a big game away at Leicester.

“We didn’t attack as well as we could have done. If both sides had been on their game, I’m sure it would have been a different story.

“We are going to have to review hard and rock up on Saturday knowing we have had two good training sessions and are back on top of our game.”